Sudbury School Committee, School Nurses Ratify Collective Bargaining Agreement

SUDBURY, MA — Sudbury Public Schools and the Sudbury School Nurses' Association have ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, according to the School Committee.

The School Committee said it voted to approve the agreement on Mar. 17, and the bargaining unit ratified it, meaning it's now in effect. The agreement came out of good-faith discussions focused on supporting students, staff, and the overall health and well-being of the school community, the School Committee said.

This follows Sudbury school nurses' sharing a letter with the School Committee on Nov. 12, 2025. The three-page dispatch underscored an alleged contract fight that dragged on for more than five years and includes a goal of pay parity, according to the Massachusetts Nurses' Association.

The letter, which you can find here, laid out concerns about wage structure, the work year and bargaining.

"We feel dismissed, devalued and overlooked—during a time when our responsibilities and contributions have only grown," SPS nurses wrote in the letter from November.

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Now, the School Committee said its new agreement includes a 3% cost-of-living adjustment, which took effect on Jul. 1, 2025. Starting Jul. 1, 2026, all bargaining unit members will transition from a seven-step salary to a new 16-step salary schedule aligned with the educator pay scale. This will result in additional compensation increases, according to the committee.

The School Committee also said the new structure includes a Master's lane, which recognizes advanced degrees and aligns compensation with educator pay practices.

The collaborative bargaining process involved the Sudbury School Committee, its Negotiations and Labor Relations Subcommittees, district administration, the Town Manager’s Office and representatives of the Sudbury School Nurses’ Association.

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"The negotiations were conducted in a manner consistent with the district’s core values, grounded in integrity, respect, and collaboration, and reflected a shared commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for staff, recognizing that when staff are supported, students benefit," the School Committee wrote in a statement.

The School Committee said the agreement reflects a commitment to supporting school nurses and their role in student health, safety, and access to learning, while also acknowledging the importance nurses place on being seen, valued, and supported.

"This milestone reflects a shared commitment to the health, safety, and well-being of Sudbury Public Schools students, and we are grateful to the many individuals and groups who supported us along the way," the Sudbury School Nurses' Association said in a statement to Patch.

The group thanked the Sudbury community, the Sudbury Educators Assocation and the Sudbury School Committee.

"This agreement represents an important step forward—not only for Sudbury’s school nurses, but for the continued strength of the Sudbury Public Schools community," the School Nurses' Association wrote. "We remain committed to supporting the health and well-being of every student and to partnering with families, educators, and the broader community in that work."

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